Disclaimer - I am trying to make this blog as little about R&R as possible, however that is impossible in parts. Of course, thats for the original blog & any posters should speak freely about whatever they please.
In a pre-game interview on Monday, Jason Ryles was asked about the 'lessons he’s learned' from this season.
His response was immediate ‘the importance of recruitment’.
Some believed this comment was a sign of ‘focus’, others felt it was sign of what potentially lies beneath - that leadership at the Eels isn’t as aligned as we are led to believe.
The reaction from Lara Pitt, Jasons expression, the verbal sidestep afterwards, and the fact this isn’t the first time Jason, or Moses, have made subtle comments around R&R, could also be telling factors.
FOUNDATIONS
For the majority of Eels fans, Ryles has shown coaching ability in the face of adversity during his time at Parra.
In 2025, JR turned the defence from league worst to top four for the final months of the season, defeating multiple top 8 teams in the process.
Despite the 2025 results, 2026 had an air of excitment amonst fans, due to the clear culture shift, defensive improvement, a more creative attack, and clear buy in from the spirited players who, for the first time in years, consistently played for 80mins per week.
This season has obviously been disappointing to say the least, but again, Ryles has shown on multiple occasions that he can lift this team despite being decimated by injury, consistently changing combinations, inexperience, and who arguably entered the season with a clear lack of quality in certain positions.
But, it always balanced precariously on a knifes edge.
HOUSE OF CARDS
We all understand the cut-throat profession that is coaching at elite levels of any sport. You are responsible for on-field success, regardless of any limitations you face off it.
Jason Ryles will wear our 2025, 2026 & 2027 results on his resume, his first 3 seasons as a 1st grade coach, whether that is fair, or not.
Forgetting the pre-game interview on Monday, Jason’s career & everything he has worked tirelessly for can hang in the balance of his results at the Eels.
He has proven potential as a coach, but multiple bottom 4 finishes and it will matter little. That is the brutal life of a first grade coach.
When a persons profession, their livelihood, their families livelihood, are all at stake, loyalty has a price for us all.
Would Jason risk all of it for a club he had no attachment too prior to this position?
Every positive Ryles has brought, is at risk, if he is at risk.
The 5/8th parallel
Months before Dylan Brown left this club (don’t worry this isn’t about Dylan himself), many of us warned that losing Dylan wasn’t about losing Dylan in isolation, that it would essentially void our investment in Mitch Moses, and end our chances of competing in the near term - unless adequately replaced.
Regardless of how you feel about Dylan, or Lachlan Galvin, the coach identified both players as players he wanted at the club - now, through 2025, 2026 & potentially 2027, we have still not replaced our 5/8th - limiting any chance of success next year for Ryles and the Eels (there is still time, I know).
Ryles has copped criticism for the Pezet deal, and perhaps fairly, but Pezet wasn’t Ryles first choice, or his 2nd, and thats just from what we know - perhaps there were others, perhaps in multiple positions?
Enough has been said about all three players, but, the issue in focus is JR wanted both those players before giving Pezet a deal.
Much like he wanted Kalooamantangi. Mitch Barnett.
It’s fair to say this has hampered his chances of success, and also likely fair to say Jason has noticed.
We’ve heard all the justifications, some fair, some ridiculous, but whats important now is the coach being provided his next signing identifications.
Because we have seen how hard a 5/8th can be to replace, what about a coach & everything he has implemented?
Moving Forward
Injuries aside, we all saw the results of our Cup team last week, while its hard to judge based purely on one season, it should still end the fantasy that we are on a similar path to the Panthers & their once in a generational, 4-peat premiers, squad.
We look a Nathan Cleary, 6/7 of his rep level mates, a dad who knows these kids personally & keep them together (and can coach), a Matt Cameron, and a lightning in a bottle moment, short.
Junior development is vital, and the positive signs are fantastic. But like the Storm, Roosters, Broncos, and even the Panthers themselves, success requires balance.
Entering 2027 pre-season, not mid year when injuries strike, if the Eels haven’t signed another 3/4 genuine first graders, do we as fans believe Ryles will continue to fight it out at the Eels? Risking his career in the process?
Bellamy’s career is coming to an end, the Dragons are currently coach-less, both clubs have a far deeper connection with Ryles than the Eels.
EELS FIRST
This is potentially a ticking time bomb, and like our 5/8th situation, if that bomb goes off, it could take years to re-build.
Despite 2026 having the worst Eels defence on record and sitting 3rd last, this isn’t rock bottom, it can get a whole lot worse.
The ball is still in the clubs court, the Eels future is still up to them…. for now.
But at what point, do we risk a future without Jason Ryles holding up the house of cards?
A hypothetical question…. For now.
As fans, we all want to believe & want whats best for the club. We get a lot wrong, we get some things right.
We’ve been asked to align, to commit to the badge - we can all respect that sentiment, but if fans were 100% aligned right now despite where we sit, despite all the contradictory evidence to the narrative, thats a cult, not a fan base. Too much negativity, and too much blind faith, can both cause damage, and the noise is all fans really have.
Thankfully, we still have some time, and there are plenty of aspects to be positive & hopeful about, but every month, week, that clock is ticking… The next 3-6 months can define the Eels next 3-6 years, lets hope its positve.
Replies
I think JR is more likely to go to rooters more so than storm. Rooters should be top 2 with their roster. Jury still out on JR or our top squad. When we didn't have injuries we were still getting flogged most games.
Ryles would be as easy to replace as Brad Arthur's was.
It's who they would replace him with that would be the worry.
Not many available coaches have a worse record than Ryles right now.
Hannay has done worse than Ryles so far, as has Benji. That's about it. Everyone else would be a statistical improvement. Mathematically speaking even Adam O'Brien is an improvement. Ryles is not looking good in paper.
I don't believe Ryles should be even close to the firing line because he hasn't had enough time or support. But if we did lose him it would be genuinely hard to go and hire a worse performing coach. Just the facts.
Jason Taylor, Geoff Toovey, Shane Flanagan
If we are dumb enough to sign the drug and salary cap cheat flanno, I'll cancel all memberships and sponsorships I have and not support or watch the team until he is gone.
Their are some quality minds among us and its great to gain an insight into their beliefs.
My thoughts are that our board is currently un-represented with directors with enough footy knowledge to identify the obvious.
So this may be folly on my part, but wouldn't it be great to see that problem rectified by getting a better proportion onto the board. Now I realise to gain election onto our board has become a lot harder since the Itallion Gent had control, its become more urgent to do so.
Contemplate an experienced and respected person like, for example, our own Captain and NOS elected to the board and able to convince their colleages of the necessity to identify and employ better managrment of our football club.
Remind their fellows the Leagues club was created to support the footy club over all else and right now boy do we need it
Folly?
Not a folly, Richard. A great ‘idea’.
Three obstacles come to mind.
One, don't expect a silver bullet. The Storm board is entirely businessmen. No former elite players. They're the most consisent this century, besides this year. Penrith has one. Brandy. The Roosters only have one. Ricketson for 15 years, but they're heavily business-led. Manly has strong football representation and even Jason King, a Manly man, as CEO. The Dolphins probably have some of the highest representation of former Redcliffey footy players on their board. So, you've got two extremes. Both ends can succeed.
Also, I'm not convinced the board should be meddling in football operations. Mark Bouris has spoken at length about this at the Roosters- as being critical they don't meddle. The board's job is governance. Way, way beyond just footy operations. The footy department's job is footy. If you don't trust the people you've hired to run the footy, why hire or keep them?
Lastly, who is putting their hand up? No doubt they know the blame games that comes with such a role. Tim Mannah admitted he's a "maybe later, he's not ready for it" to James Graham when asked. So give it 5-10 years. Sterlo? Nope. Ray Price? Crow? Muggleton maybe? The common thread with all ex-player directors is that they're usually club legends or people with a long history of service to the badge. Brian Smith? He’s not a footy player, so he’d be an outlier from every other clubs, but maybe worth a punt. Is he even interested? I don't mind him in some advisory role, but on the board? Not sure that's the most use of his skill set.
Jason King is a very learned man. Done a degree in economics or business together with his footy nous seems like a good appointment. We need to find someone like this.
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